Note 149 — Chapter I · NATURE POWERS.
Reading edition
In the Ratnágiri District it is believed that earthquake occurs whenever the thousand headed Shesha shakes its head.149 It is said that at one time a demon named Gayásur became very troublesome, and all the gods held him down by standing on his body. Thereupon the demon requested all the gods to remain on his body for ever. Occasionally this Gayásur shakes his body and this causes the earthquake.150 Some people believe that the earth trembles of its own accord when sins accumulate upon it.151 Others hold that the earthquake takes place in the hollow parts of the earth.152 Some people, however, believe that since the earth floats upon water, it naturally quakes at times.153